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Industry Happenings
Slated to Open in 2017, 274-room Andaz Munich to be Developed in Central Munich in Germany
Jost Hurler Beteiligungs-und Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG | February 21, 2014
February 21, 2014 - CHICAGO - Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) today announced that a Hyatt affiliate has entered into a contract with Jost Hurler Beteiligungs-und Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG, a family-owned company based in Munich, for an Andaz hotel in Munich. The first Andaz-branded hotel in Germany, Andaz Munich will join hotels currently located in world-class cities including London, New York, Los Angeles, Shanghai, and soon, Tokyo. Expected to open in 2017, Andaz Munich will make its mark in the Bavarian capital, increasing the brand's presence in Europe to three hotels. The 274-room hotel will be developed in cent...
Pebblebrook Hotel Trust Reports 2013 Yearly Net Income of $20M up from $8.3M & RevPAR Growth of 6.4%
Pebblebrook Hotel Trust | February 21, 2014
February 20, 2014 04:01 PM Eastern Standard Time - BETHESDA, Md.--Pebblebrook Hotel Trust (NYSE: PEB) (the "Company") today reported results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2013. The Company's results include the following: (1)See tables later in this press release for a description of same-property information and reconciliations from net income (loss) to non-GAAP financial measures, including Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization ("EBITDA"), Adjusted EBITDA, Funds from Operations ("FFO"), FFO per share, Adjusted FFO and Adjusted FFO per share. For the details as to which hotels are included...
P.T. Wynncor Bali & Hyatt to Develop 144-key Andaz Bali in Indonesia; To Open in 2016
Andaz | February 21, 2014
February 21, 2014 - CHICAGO - Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) announced today that a Hyatt affiliate has entered into a management agreement with P.T. Wynncor Bali for an Andaz resort in Bali, Indonesia. Upon completion, the hotel will be the first Andaz-branded offering in Southeast Asia. "We are delighted to introduce the Andaz brand to Indonesia, and honored to strengthen our relationship with P.T. Wynncor Bali, a strong, experienced developer and the owner of Grand Hyatt Bali and Bali Hyatt, which is currently under renovation and will be rebranded as a Hyatt Regency," said Ratnesh Verma, senior vice president, real estate and de...
Ice Skating Rink at The Depot Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel Receives Top National Travel Honors
The Depot Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel | February 21, 2014
Minneapolis, Minnesota, February 2014 ... The unique ice skating rink located within one of America's last remaining 19th Century train sheds at The Depot Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel has been honored with important national consumer travel awards. The Depot's ice rink is located indoors within the original train shed, now known as The Depot Pavilion. The Pavilion is directly linked to a stately Italian Renaissance-style former train station - now the luxurious Depot Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel -- as it has been since the 19th Century. The Depot Pavilion's Ice Skating Rink Honors include: "Best Ice Skating Rinks in the United State...
RLJ Lodging Trust Sells Non-Strategic Portfolio of 11 Hotels for $85 Million
RLJ Lodging Trust | February 21, 2014
February 21, 2014 - BETHESDA, Md. - RLJ Lodging Trust (the "Company") (NYSE:RLJ) today announced that the Company has closed on the sale of a portfolio of 11 hotels (the "Portfolio") for approximately $85.0 million. The sale price represents approximately a 7.9% capitalization rate on the Portfolio's estimated 2013 net operating income, adjusted for approximately $23.0 million of pending capital expenditures. "This transaction enabled us to make significant progress on our capital recycling program," commented Thomas J. Baltimore, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer. "The sale of these assets are immediately accretive to our port...
Mark Eberwein Appointed as General Manager for W Los Angeles – Westwood in California
W Los Angeles - Westwood | February 21, 2014
(LOS ANGELES, CA; February 21, 2014) - W Los Angeles - Westwood, Southern California's iconic urban lifestyle hotel, announces the appointment of Mark Eberwein as the new General Manager. Eberwein brings more than 20 years of experience in the luxury hospitality industry. "I am honored to work with this group of highly professional visionaries, as we amplify W Los Angeles - Westwood's success," said Eberwein. "It is truly exciting to embark on this journey at such an iconic hotel brand with such an amazing array of talent. I look forward to sharing my experience and energy with W Los Angeles - Westwood." Prior to joining W Los Angeles -...
Hampton Hotels Recognizes 2013 Top Performing Hotels with Connie Award
Hampton Hotels | February 21, 2014
MCLEAN, Va. - February 21, 2014 - Hampton Hotels, Hilton Worldwide's global brand of more than 1,900 mid-priced Hampton Inn, Hampton Inn & Suites and Hampton by Hilton hotels, recently awarded its top performing properties of 2013. The prestigious Connie Award was presented to the following U.S. properties: Hampton Inn Wheeling in West Virginia Hampton Inn Lincolnton in North Carolina Hampton Inn Murrells Inlet/Myrtle Beach in South Carolina Hampton Inn Geneseo in New York Hampton Inn Vernon in Texas Hampton Inn Syracuse Clay in New York The Connie Award is named after Hilton Worldwide's founder Conrad Hilton and winners are...
Cornell Reports Document Top Women’s Hospitality Careers, Outline Framework for Retaining Women
The Center for Hospitality Research | February 21, 2014
Ithaca, NY, February 21, 2014 - Although many women begin their professional careers in the hospitality industry, few remain in the industry long enough to reach the top. Two new reports from the Center for Hospitality Research (CHR) document the careers of twenty women who are industry leaders and propose a mechanism for increasing women's rate of advancement to and participation in hospitality C-suites. The reports, "Female Executives in Hospitality: Reflections on Career Journeys and Reaching the Top," and "Developing High-Level Leaders in Hospitality: Advice for Retaining Female Talent," by Kate Walsh, Susan S. Fleming, and Cathy A....
Cenium Opens Chicago Office; 2013 Growth Fuels Need for Second U.S. Location
Cenium | February 21, 2014
Chicago, IL February 21, 2014: Cenium is expanding again, this time with the opening of a new office in the Chicago area. This new state-of-the-art facility will house primarily development and implementation resources. "This was a strategic move on Cenium's part" according to Trygve Ronningen, CEO. "Not only is Chicago centrally located and easily reached from most international locations, it has the requisite talent pool from which we can draw proven, experienced and innovative team members as we grow the company. Furthermore, Microsoft maintains a very strong presence in the Chicago area and as a Microsoft Partner, we're committed to...
HFTP Launches ProLinks Webinar Broadcasting Upgrade
Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP) | February 21, 2014
Austin, Texas, USA (February 21, 2014) - With an increased interest and participation in Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals' (HFTP) ProLinks Webinars over the past two years, HFTP has partnered with BlueSky Broadcasting to provide its webinar hosting services. These services allow HFTP to further develop the webinar program and increase opportunities for members outside North America. The improved services include an increase in maximum attendance capacity from 100 to 500 participants, better broadcasting quality and technical support and a new portal for viewing live and archived sessions. Attendees will also be provide...
Sun Travels, Sun Hotels & Resorts Rebrands as Sun Siyam Resorts; Debuts with Flagship Opening
Sun Siyam | February 21, 2014
Flagship Opening – The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi, a 221-room Property on the Noonu Atoll Maldives 21st February 2014 – Sun Travels and Sun Hotels & Resorts has rebranded as Sun Siyam Resorts with the phased launch of multiple luxury resorts in the Maldives, Sri Lanka and beyond. The international travel company's new brand identity and ethos will be unveiled at its first and flagship opening – The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi, a five-star 221-room property on the Noonu Atoll Maldives, which launches on 21st February 2014. QUO hospitality-specialist brand agency has brought to life the Sun Siyam founder, Hon. Ahmed Siyam Mohamed's tourism vi...
One Ocean Resort & Spa in Atlantic Beach, Florida Joins the Southern Living Hotel Collection
One Ocean Resort & Spa | February 21, 2014
February 21, 2014 - Atlanta, GA -- The Southern Living Hotel Collection, (www.SouthernLivingHotelCollection.com) a small, curated group of independent, four-and five-star level hotels, resorts and inns that span 18 Southern states and offers the best in authentic Southern hospitality is pleased to welcome its newest member: One Ocean Resort & Spa (Atlantic Beach, FL). Since its launch in July, 2013, the Collection has thoughtfully grown from its 15 premier hotels, resorts and inns to 29 carefully selected properties chosen by the editors at Southern Living. Members of the Southern Living Hotel Collection are vetted according to the ...
Westin to Debut in Egypt with Opening of Westin Cairo Golf Resort & Spa Katameya Dunes Early in 2015
Westin Hotels & Resorts | February 21, 2014
The 128-room Resort is Owned by New Cairo for Real Estate Investment Company SAE February 21, 2014 - CAIRO - Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT) today announced that it will soon introduce the Westin brand to Egypt with the opening of The Westin Cairo Golf Resort & Spa Katameya Dunes early next year. Owned by New Cairo for Real Estate Investment Company SAE, the 128-room resort will be ideally located within the Katameya Dunes development, a 1.8 million square meter luxury residential compound in the New Cairo City District. "We look forward to partnering with New Cairo for Real Estate Investment Company to intr...
Owned by China Oil & Foodstuffs Corporation, the 176-key Waldorf Astoria Beijing Opens in China
Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts | February 21, 2014
SINGAPORE - February 21, 2014 - Hilton Worldwide and Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts today announced the opening of Waldorf Astoria Beijing, marking the second Waldorf Astoria hotel in China and the brand's continued international expansion. An expression of its unique location, Waldorf Astoria Beijing features 176 luxuriously appointed guest rooms and suites, three unique restaurants, including Peacock Alley, Brasserie1893 and Zijin Mansion, 796 square meters of function meeting space, a spa and fitness center with heated indoor swimming pool. The hotel is operated by Hilton Worldwide and owned by China Oil & Foodstuffs Corpor...
HandHeld Hospitality Appoints Marriott International COO to its Board and Talks App Collaboration
HandHeld Hospitality, LLC | February 21, 2014
February 24, 2014 -- Chevy Chase, MD -- HandHeld Hospitality™, LLC a leading forerunner in mobile technology for hotels, announced today the board appointment and investment partnership with Bob McCarthy, COO of Marriott International, Inc.,who has announced his retirement from Marriott, effective February 2014. HandHeld Hospitality is also collaborating with AT&T to introduce its SmartGuest™ app to the hospitality industry. "Bob brings a wealth of knowledge and insight into improved guest satisfaction and revenue optimization through mobile technology," said Elmer Coppoolse, CEO of HandHeld Hospitality. "His expertise combined ...
The 124-room Courtyard Wilmington Downtown/Historic District is Set to Open in North Carolina
Courtyard by Marriott | February 21, 2014
Owned by Wilmington Hotel Inc. and Managed by CN Hotels, Inc. Wilmington, North Carolina - February 21, 2014 - Courtyard by Marriott is rolling out its innovative lobby and room design in Wilmington, North Carolina. This is the newest Courtyard in the area featuring the Refreshing Business lobby environment, where guests can enjoy an open and flexible space. Along with media pods, Wi-Fi and a variety of seating zones, the redefined space is ideal for everything from pop-up meetings to social gatherings. Scheduled to open on Monday, February 24, 2014, the 124-room Courtyard Wilmington Downtown/Historic District also offers a refreshing a...
Can Seasonal Employees Still Deliver Great Customer Service?
Steve DiGioia | February 20, 2014
by Steve DiGioia Recently I was asked to teach a customer service training class for the new hires of a ski resort. The seasonal resort just completed their job fair and had their newest set of fresh-faced recruits all ready for work; they just needed to know how to deal with their customers. In preparation, I met with the resort's management to find out some information about the new hires, if there were specific topics they want covered and what their expectations were for the class. Here is what I learned: Job Fair attendees: 200 Employees Hired: 180 Positions Hired: ski lift operator, equipment rental associate, retail store cle...
Host Hotels Reports Operating Results for Fourth Quarter & Full Year 2013
Host Hotels & Resorts | February 19, 2014
BETHESDA, Md., Feb. 19, 2014 -- Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: HST), the nation's largest lodging real estate investment trust ("REIT"), today announced results of operations for the year. N/M=Not Meaningful (a) As of January 1, 2013, the Company adopted calendar quarter reporting periods. For further discussion, see "Adjustments for Calendar Quarter Reporting Periods" on page 2 of this release. (b) NAREIT Funds From Operations ("FFO") per diluted share, Adjusted FFO per diluted share (which excludes debt extinguishment costs and other expenses), Adjusted EBITDA (which is earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortiza...
Switzerland’s Sorell Hotels Group Signs Full Portfolio to Pegasus Connect+
Pegasus Solutions | February 19, 2014
DALLAS (February 19, 2014) – Switzerland's Sorell Hotels Group has signed its full portfolio to Pegasus Connect+. Sorell's 17 individually and personally managed hotels in 10 Swiss cities are now available online, and in the global distribution systems (GDSs) under the "UI" chain code. "Each of our hotels is situated in a prime Swiss location, and offers features distinct to that hotel and area," said Matthias Ramer, operations manager of Sorell Hotels Group. "Pegasus Connect+ serves our hotels two ways. First, it provides distribution and reservation services to rival major brands that have more technology resources. Secondly, it gro...
Hersha Hospitality Trust Names Charles Paloux as Vice President of Asset Management
Hersha Hospitality Trust | February 19, 2014
Philadelphia - February 19, 2014 - Hersha Hospitality Trust (NYSE: HT), owner of upscale hotels in urban gateway markets, announced today that Charles Paloux was named Vice President of Asset Management. Paloux oversees HT's Miami and Washington DC portfolios as well as its independent boutique portfolio across the country. He is also very involved in HT's disposition and refinancing strategy and execution. "It's with great pleasure that we announce Charles' promotion to Vice President," said HT President and COO Neil H. Shah. "As our focus on Miami market and our Independent Collection continues to grow, the company is excited to have ...
Tucson, Arizona’s Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa Appoints Matt Brody as Director of Sales & Marketing
Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa | February 19, 2014
TUCSON, Ariz. (Feb. 19, 2014) - The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa today announced the appointment of industry veteran Matt Brody as the resort's new director of sales and marketing. With more than 17 years of experience in hospitality sales and marketing, Brody is a strategic addition to the sales team. "Matt's long standing success in the hospitality industry, both locally and nationally, will serve as an asset to our team," said General Manager, Glenn Sampert. As a member of the resort's Executive Committee, Brody will be responsible for the formulation of all sales, marketing, and public relations activities for the 487 room Reso...
Chatham Lodging Trust Reports Strong 2013 Q4 & Full Year Results; Comparable RevPAR up 4.9%
Chatham Lodging Trust | February 19, 2014
PALM BEACH, Fla., February 18, 2014-Chatham Lodging Trust (NYSE: CLDT), a hotel real estate investment trust (REIT) that owns wholly or through its joint ventures 77 premium-branded, upscale, extended-stay and select-service hotels, today announced results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2013. Fourth Quarter 2013 Highlights Comparable Hotel RevPAR - Grew hotel RevPAR 4.9 percent, excluding the Washington, D.C. hotel which was ramping up as a newly converted Residence Inn by Marriott. Portfolio RevPAR - Rose 4.4 percent to $103 for the 25 wholly owned hotels. Adjusted EBITDA - Increased 52 percent to $12.7 million...
The 138-key Parnas, A Luxury Collection Hotel, Seoul to Open in South Korea in 2016
The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts | February 19, 2014
February 19, 2014 - NEW YORK - Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT) and Parnas Hotel Co. Ltd. today announced the signing agreement of The Parnas, A Luxury Collection Hotel, Seoul. Located in the city's upscale southern district of Gangnam, the hotel's debut will mark the first Luxury Collection hotel in South Korea, joining a portfolio of acclaimed hotels and resorts around the world. It also reflects Starwood's aggressive expansion plans to maintain its leadership position in the Asia Pacific luxury hospitality landscape. "We are very pleased to announce the signing of The Parnas, A Luxury Collection Hotel, Seoul a...
Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort And Spa Joins the Wedding Quickquote Family
Wedding Quick Quote Solutions | February 19, 2014
Now One of Many Leading Venues Providing Couples With Instant Price Quotes Planning the Perfect Wedding Is Easier Than Ever Innovative Online Service Provides Instant Inquiry Response AUSTIN / BASTOP, Texas (Feb. 19, 2014) -- Madeline Daryadel, president of Wedding QuickQuote, today announced that the Austin area's spectacular Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa has just joined their growing list of premiere properties offering couples who are planning a wedding a fast and easy way to get an immediate price quote. Wedding QuickQuote is the wedding industry's first and only "Instant Response" RFP platform for online inquiries and giv...
